Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Nov. 19: In 1794, the United States and Britain signed the "Jay Treaty" concerning trade boundaries and commerce.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 8: Singer Bonnie Bramlett is 80. Guitarist Roy Wood, founder of Electric Light Orchestra, is 78. Singer Bonnie Raitt is 75. Former "Entertainment Tonight" host Mary Hart is 74.

Today in Music History for Nov. 8: In 1887, the gramophone was patented by American Thomas Edison. In 1910, "The Dubois String Quartet" gave its first performance at Windsor Hall in Montreal.

Today in History for Nov. 8 On this date: In 1308, medieval scholar Duns Scotus died. His given name led to the introduction of the word dunce.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 7: Former federal NDP leader Audrey McLaughlin is 88. Singer Johnny Rivers is 82. Former supermodel Jean Shrimpton is 82. Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell is 81. Mezzo-soprano Judith Forst is 81.

Today in Music History for Nov. 7: In 1920, accordionist Gaby Haas, once proclaimed as "Canada's Mr. Polka," was born in Czechoslovakia. He became a Canadian citizen in 1943.

Today in History for Nov. 7: On this date: In 1659, the Pyrenees were designated as the boundary between France and Spain, thus ending a 24-year war between the two countries. In 1665, the "London Gazette" was published for the first time.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 6: Actress June Squibb is 95. Singer P.J. Proby is 86. Singer Bill Henderson (Chilliwack) is 80. Actress Sally Field is 78. Children's entertainer Fred Penner is 78. Jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is 75.

Today in Music History for Nov. 6: In 1814, Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, was born in Belgium. In 1854, John Philip Sousa, the king of American march music, was born in Washington, D.C.

Today in History for Nov. 6: In 1689, blacks arrived by ship to Quebec -- probably the first recorded use of black slaves in Canada.